A coalition to improve health services for underserved communities in San Diego County was announced Thursday by the California Department of Public Health.
The San Diego County Promotores Coalition includes the state agency's Office of Binational Border Health, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, National University and several other area organizations.
"Promotores are community health workers who play an important role in promoting community-based health education and prevention in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate," state health officer Dr. Karen Smith said. "Their work is particularly important in communities that have been historically underserved and underinsured."
The coalition was designed to promote and recognize the work of promotores, and to support organizations that work alongside them to increase access to services.
The coalition will help train and develop community health workers, advance their work within local agencies and the community, serve as a central resource for health workers and agencies, advise on curriculum development and provide information about issues affecting their communities.
Other agencies involved in the coalition are the Chula Vista Community Collaborative, the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, the Health Initiative of the Americas, Project Concern International, San Diego City College, South Bay Community Service, Vista Community Clinic and Vision y Compromiso.
